Toy water wheel



April 1957 o. A. LAIRD 2,787,863

TOY WATER WHEEL.

Filed on. s, 1955 F/g./ Ail? Owen A. Laird INI'ENTOR.

BY @maoifizm mdyamay 15m United States Patent TOY WATER WHEEL Owen A. Laird, Alton, Ill.

Application October 6, 1955, Serial No. 538,978

1 Claim. (Cl. 4641) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in mechanical toys of the type comprising a fluid actuated Wheel and means including a trough for delivering water thereto, and has for its primary object to provide a device of this character which will be both educational and entertaining, particularly for children.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a toy of the aforementioned character comprising novel means for supporting the wheel and the delivery trough.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a toy water wheel of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a toy water wheel constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the device with portions broken away in section;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view; and,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the water wheel and delivery trough supporting means.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially rectangular base 5 of suitable dimensions and material. Mounted on one end portion of the base 5 is a water tower which is designated generally by reference character 6. The tower 6 includes a cylindrical tank 7 of suitable capacity mounted on upwardly convergent legs 8 which rise from the base 5. The upper end portions of the legs 8 are engaged in sockets 9 which are provided therefor on the tank 7. Of course, the tank 7 is for the reception of water and said tank is provided on its lower front portion with a discharge valve 10.

One end portion of an inclined delivery trough 11 is suspended beneath the valve 10 through the medium of an adjustable hanger 12. The lower end portion of the trough 11 rests on the horizontal, transversely extending arm 13 on the upper end of an inclined post 14 which rises from one of the longitudinal marginal portions of the base 5 at an intermediate point. The arm 13 includes a forwardly and downwardly bent portion 15 and terminates in a reversely bent end portion constitutbig a stationary shaft 16 on which a water wheel 17 is journaled. Rising from the forward end portion of the platform 5 on opposite sides of the wheel 17 are angulated, upwardly convergent substantially U-shaped standards 18. The bight portions of the standards 18 are formed to provide cradles or bearings 19 in which the shaft 16 rests. Thrust collars 20 are fixed on the shaft 16 on the opposite sides of the wheel 17.

Mounted beneath the wheel 17 for receiving water therefrom is a rearwardly inclined return trough 21. The upper end portion of the trough 21 rests on a substantially inverted U-shaped support 22 which rises from the base 5. Mounted on the rear end portion of the base 5 between the legs 8 of the tower 6 is a tank or receptacle 23. The lower end portion of the return trough 21 rests on the receptacle 23 for discharging the water thereinto. Also mounted on the .base 5 and having its intake side connected to the receptacle 23 is a suitable pump 24. An elevating tube 25 extends from the discharge side of the pump 24 to the tank 7.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the desired quantity of water is deposited in the tank 7 and the valve 10 is opened. Water from the tank '7 now flows through the trough 11 and is deposited by gravity on the Wheel 17 for actuating said wheel in an obvious manner. The trough 21 receives the water from the wheel 17 and discharges said water into the receptacle 23. By actuating the pump 24 the water may then be returned to the tank 7 through the tube 25.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A mechanical toy of the character described comprising: a base, a pair of substantially inverted U-shaped standards rising from said base, the bight portions of said standards including U-shaped bearings, an inclined post rising from the base, a horizontal arm on the upper end of said post, said arm comprising a reversely bent free end portion constituting a stationary shaft resting by gravity in the bearings, a water wheel journaled on the shaft between the standards, an elevated tank, for the reception of water, mounted on the base, an inclined delivery trough having its upper end connected to the tank for receiving water therefrom, the lower end portion of said trough resting on the arm for discharging the Water by gravity on the wheel, and means for returning the water from said wheel to said tank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 923,640 Gaube June 1, 1909 1,550,619 Kingsley Aug. 18, 1925 1,594,720 Gee Aug. 3, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS.

802,444 Germany Feb. 12, 1951 904,993 Germany Feb. 25, 1954 

